By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
The House of Representatives on Wednesday, threatened to sanction the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL), other oil companies and agencies of government, responsible for the environmental degradation caused by the activities of oil companies in oil producing communities of the country.

This is just as the joint Committee of the House probing the matter, summoned  the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mr Mele Kyari, and others, to appear before it for the probe.
The summon was handed down by the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon Pondi Julius Gbabojor, at an investigative hearing on the need to investigate the service and unprecedented environmental damage within the communities on Wednesday.
Also to appear before the joint committee are the chief executives of some oil companies and relevant government agencies.
The House Committees include  Environment, Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and Climate Change.
Gbabojor said the matter to be addressed was critical as he threatened appropriate sanctions if those invited failed to turn up.
Besides the NNPCL, oil companies summoned include Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Total Energies, Oando Oil Limited, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited Seplat Energy among others.
Also government agencies summoned include Nigeria Midstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, National Oil Spill Detection Response Agency, National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency.
When the probe commenced on Wednesday, only four out of 35 oil companies and agencies invited for the probe showed up.
The National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency, however sent an excuse through a representative, but the rest did not give any reason for their absence.
The Committee members however complained that even the four that turned up submitted the relevant documents just the previous day, not giving the lawmakers enough time to study it for the probe.
They rued the attitude of the oil companies and agencies saying it impeded efforts aimed at moving the country to a better place.
Gbabojor said, “We will write another letter to everybody. They should turn up to answer questions on issues pertaining to degradation of the environment due to the activities of oil companies.
“They have to be here on the 8th of May. If anybody fails to show up, then we would not decide as a committee on what to do. I want to believe that there was enough time, two letters were sent, there was ample time for them to see the letters and duly honour. But for putting on a human face, we would still give another time to do so,” he said.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, in his opening remarks earlier said it was important to protect the environment.
Represented by the Deputy Minority Whip, George Ozodinobi, he said, “I fully recognize the immense responsibility which befalls us as public servants to protect and safeguard our environment and meet the challenges posed by the ravages of environmental damages, and the need to balance economic prosperity and social responsibility to ultimately achieve equitable development.
“Also as representatives of the people, we must ensure that the voices of those most affected by environmental damage are heard and respected. We have to listen to the fears that are faced by frontline communities, indigenous people, and marginalized groups who usually bear the brunt of environmental injustice.
“It is therefore, for this reason that the House mandated the Committees on Environment, Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Petroleum Resources (Downstream), and Climate Change, to investigate the environmental damage in oil producing communities caused by non-compliance to extant laws by oil producing companies.”

By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will hold its primary election in Ondo State today (Thursday, April 25, 2024) to select a candidate for the Governorship Election in November and has approved a seven-member electoral committee to conduct the exercise.
In a statement on Wednesday, the PDP said the exercise will be held at the  International Culture and Event Centre, The Dome, Akure, Ondo State.

The statement listed the seven-member electoral committee as Sen. Ewhrudjakpo Oborawhartevwo,     Chairman, Hon. Oluwole Busayo Oke, member, Rt. Hon. Muktar Ahmed, Member, Haj. Hassana Diko, Member, Barr. John Mathew, Member; Hon. Nnena Ikondon, Member and Hon. Dare Adeleke, Secretary. 

By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has urged the Nigerian Judiciary to evolve a blueprint for the transformative changes needed to enhance judicial efficiency and ensure the fair administration of justice across the nation.
Senator Akpabio made the call at the opening ceremony of a two-day Summit on “Enhancing Justice Delivery in Nigeria” organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other international development partners in Abuja.

A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/Communication to the Senate President, Anietie Ekong, quoted Senator Akpabio to have said that the “collaborative efforts of stakeholders will shape the strategic direction of Nigeria’s justice system, making it more robust, accessible, and equitable.”
According to Akpabio, “In the coming months, I will invite my colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives to deliberate on these proposals with the gravity and diligence they deserve.
“Together, with the insights and support of the judiciary, legal experts, and the Nigerian populace, we will embark on this legislative journey to enshrine these reforms into law.
“This is more than legislative duty; it is our moral imperative to fortify the foundation of our nation’s justice system for present and future generations. I look forward to productive discussions and to the eventual realization of these reforms, ensuring a just, equitable, and prosperous society for all.
“I will not be telling the truth if I say that we at the National Assembly are not aware of the delays and backlogs plaguing our courts, which not only deny timely justice but undermine faith in our judicial system.
“These delays harm our society’s most vulnerable and create an environment where justice is seen as inaccessible and inefficient. In an era where technology has transformed so many sectors, it is critical that we harness its potential within our judicial processes to enhance speed and transparency.
“We are committed to budgeting for the implementation of judicial reforms that will include the adoption of digital tools to manage cases more effectively and ensure that justice is neither delayed nor denied.
“This journey requires collective effort. I call upon all stakeholders, including my colleagues in both legislative and executive branches, as well as the judiciary itself, to support these vital reforms. Together, we can build a justice system that is fit for the 21st century,” he said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shetima said the administration has embarked upon far reaching reforms to enhance justice delivery including the appointment of the full complement of the Justices of the Supreme Court.
Other stakeholders who presented papers at the Summit included the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN among others.